ČEZ: EPH, Litvínovská uhelná interested in Chvaletice plant

Prague, March 13 (CTK) - Czech group Energeticky a prumyslovy holding (EPH) and Litvinovska uhelna, part of the mining group Czech Coal, are interested in the Chvaletice plant run by energy group CEZ, CEZ spokeswoman Barbora Pulpanova told CTK yesterday, confirming the information of the server Tyden.cz.

CEZ is considering the sale of Chvaletice as part of the settlement agreement with the European Commission.

"We can confirm that we've received two revised bids," said Pulpanova.

CEZ asked potential buyers to submit their bids for Chvaletice last summer. At that time EPH and Czech Coal had expressed interest. Czech Coal submitted a direct bid.

CEZ put up for sale the coal-fired power plant under the agreement with the EC. The document is expected to put an end to the investigation by the EC of CEZ which started in 2009. The Commission was examining whether or not CEZ abused its position on the electricity generation market.

Originally CEZ proposed to sell some of the Pocerady, Chvaletice, Detmarovice and Tisova plants along with Melnik 3 facility. CEZ adopted a modified agreement at end-February under which black-coal-fired plant Detmarovice would not be sold. CEZ also said it was in favour of the sale of Chvaletice.